Limitless analysis

1. Assignment
Unit 26: Film Studies
Analysing Movie Limitless
Gopinat Boratynski
Synopsis
“Limitless” is an action-thriller movie which was released in 2011 and directed by Neil Burger.
The filmis starred by Bradley Cooper as Edward “Eddie” Morra, a writer who lives in New York
City. He had been dumped by his girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish), who supported him
financially, because he was not able to fulfil the deadline of his writing. He was barely
surviving. He realizes that he has no future and no hope to escape from this situation. Then,
something happened when he met his ex-brother-in-law Vernon Gant (Johny Whitworth) in
street who introduces Morra to NZT, a steroid pill that makes him become more focus and
allow him to remember everything he has learned. By using NZT, he is able to use all of his
brain ability to become the unlimited version of himself. After finishing his writing, he joins
the top of financialworld, stock trade market, from nothing. It draws the attention of business
man Carl Von Loon (Robert De Niro). Von Loon sees that ability of Morra can make him a
billionaire. Soon, Morra become Van Loon’s advisor in the stock market trade.
However, Morra’s dependences to NZT cannot be vanished. He even is being addicted to this
pill. It is because when he does not use this pill, he becomes ordinary man and can not use
his brain amazingly. Therefore, Morra finds the way to make his own stock of NZT drug.
Surprisingly, Morra finds the other business tycoons in New York also use NZT to gain their
success. It is shown in the scene where Morra and Van Loon want to merge with Hank
Atwood. (Hans Bekins). Atwood is user of NZT pill too. He asks a man to stole NZT pill from
Morra because he starts to enter coma. His coma is caused by discontinuation in using NZT
Pill. Unfortunately, Atwood did not make it and he died. Soon, the Atwood company falls in
to Van Loon’s hands. Van Loon then, paid Morra 40 millions US$ because of this success, In
short, by using his smartness, because of the influence of NZT pill, Morra starts to running for
the United States Senat.
Genre

2. Limitless can be classified as a thriller and it fits in with this style because the film’s narrative
is focused on the protagonist point of view with the fact that Eddie narrates over the top of
the film. It also deals with a mystery which is why at the start of the film does Eddie look like
he’s going to commit suicide. Setting is in the real world with all the limitations it has on top
of us. The use of the NZT brings in elements of sci-fiction with hope that in the near future
we will be able to access and control all of our brain through the use of biology altering
drugs. Very often in sci-fiction imaginative ideas and hopes of future are presented.
Opening Scene analysis
This is the first shoot that audience see. Along with the intense drumming on the door, it
gives the audience an idea that someone is trying to break in. This creates tension and
concern for the character’s well-being.

3. A close up shot then follows, highlighting where the sound is coming from and making clear
the intensity of the forced entrance.
There is a slow panning movement across the scene, providing the audience with the
setting.
The bashing on the door is still audible, give hint to audience that something bad is
happening or about to happen. Also, as the sound hasn’t end yet, it makes clear to the
audience that the villains aren’t going to give up anytime soon.
Also, there is a fading of the music, that gradually increases as the scene progresses.

4. Next, there is a slow-moving tracking shot, moving towards the sound of danger, forcing the
audience to feel anxious and nervous about what’s going to happen.
This shot was short, fast-paced zooming shoot. Intended to give the name of the building,
where the scene was set. As the pace of shots increase it gives a clue that climax of the
scene is closer.

5. These two shots are also short, but they are panning shots. It establish more of the location
of the scene and shows important information about the scene: there are security guards
killed and attackers are somewhere in the building. This shoots can give a clue to the
audience that men trying to force an entry through doors are responsible for that.
Voice in the back continues asking question about life. This suggest that character is close to
the end of his life and is reflecting on experiences which put him in current situation.

6. Tracking shot is used here, with the purpose of exploring the surroundings of the
environment. This shoot tracks backward and leads to the next shot.
Music that faded in, has now maximized in volume.
This shot is crane shot. This adds dramatic effect to a shot. In this particular scene it adds
depth and height to the next shot, making it clear what will happen if situation go wrong.

7. Establishing Shot
This wide shot shows the protagonist from the film standing on the edge of an apartment
balcony. The character is shown to be very small on the shot in comparison to his
surroundings, which represents him as overwhelmed and vulnerable. The wide shot also
emphasizes the deadly situation of the character. This extreme long shot also is known as
establishing shit because it establishes the time and location of the scene.
This close-up shot is used to emphasize the emotions of the character. In his voice over, he
says “I will never let them touch me” this shows his fear of the criminals.
But, the character looks like he is proud to make decision to jump because his death will be
his own decision, and not someone else.

8. This shot is a close-up shot. It matches action of the previous shot ( him on the edge wanting
to jump). This shows his willingness to die. Shot makes the audience feel uncomfortable and
uneasy.

9. As the titles emerge, camera tracks through the city, establishing the location and setting of
the whole film.
Also, allows the audience to assume that this is where the film is set (New York).
The soundtrack and the sound of the city is playing while this happens.
The editing of the movie has been done is such a way that the last scene is shown first.
Audience know what to expect.
However, this is unclear until after the story goes back in time. The narration (non- diegetic
sound) explains that the character that they see after the title sequence, is the same
character, but in the past.
From this point, the story is shown as continuous – with the effect of fast forwarding
through time at some points, because of the changes in perception of protagonist due to
use of NZT pill.
First time on pill – Scene analysis

10. In frames above character is in a state of dumbness and fogginess of the mind. Dimmed and
vague colours are used to show inner perception of character. Woman face is blurry to show
that character character is unfocused on her and that he is not paying attention to what she
is saying to him. Shots used here are Big Close-Up and Close-Up, to show detailed facial
movements.

11. In this frame we see through x-ray vision that pill which has been swallowed by character
goes to his stomach.
In this frame we have Two Shot of the same person to show that drug is kicking in.
Character is starting to experience omnipresence and bending of time and space.

12. In frames above we see change in colours. Environment seems to more shiny, alive and
vibrant. Camera is zooming out and as it happens angle of vision is increasing. It symbolises
his expanded awareness and focus. Camera zooms out from Medium Close-Up up to Very
Long Shot.

13. There is Close-Up here to show character's feeling of fascination and wonder for his new
abilities. Main characters eyes changed to more blueish to differentiate it from previous
state of unclarity and dumbness and to show his laser like vision.
We have here Extreme Close-Up to show character's new ability to notice and focus on
small
details. This Extreme Close-Up is used to show that woman is enchanted by everything main
character tells her.
In this frame creators wanted to show character's sense of total control over situation. They
have done it by positioning him at the centre of the frame. Another method they used is his
body position. Arms and legs are positioned in a specific way to show the audience his sense
of power.

14. Here we have Medium-Shot of tripled main character. It symbolises his ability to do
everything efficiently and fast. Character is feeling like he is doing this kind of work, which in
normal conditions could be done only by higher number of people.
Ending Scene Analysis

15. In these shots we can see here both characters in medium close-up, used to show the
symbolic body positions of them. Carl Van Loon is presented as sitting higher and looking
down on Eddie to show his superiority and power of arguments he is using during that
conversation. On the other shot we see Eddie being positioned lower as he is in subordinate
position and kind of being controlled. At least this is the first impression of the viewers.
Situation changes quickly in next shots.

16. Zooming shot used here is bringing us closer to see protagonist’s facial expression and the
state of mind. As we know character is ultra intelligent due to use of NZT drug, so we can
guess that how he presented himself to Carl Van Loon is just a part of the plan. In his face
we can read through his emotionless face that he have thousands solutions for this
situation.

17. On medium close-up shots above we see Eddie on the left side of the screen and Carl Van
Loon on the right side of the screen on the next shot. This editing technique creates
impression of screen being somehow connected. On the other hand characters are opposed
to each other face to face, this creates impression that they are conflict. Background is
blurred and this makes audience more focused on what is happening with their facial
expressions.

18. Close-up shots are used here to express more aggressive word exchange between both
characters.
In this medium close-up Eddie is in the centre while he is grabbing Carl Van Loon. This
centred position adds him power and highlights that he is now in control of the situation.
Analysis of other scenes in the movie.
Cinematography:
This low angle shot shot put protagonist in a dangerous situation. But in this situation low
angle looking up on character emphasizes his control and power, which is a result of the pill
he taken.

19. This medium shot present protagonist with careless appearance. The shot begins to pan
chaotically as the character is walking across the road and he shows angry look on his face,
which connotes his frustration and that his life is going nowhere. This is a juxtaposition to
how his lifestyle develops later on in the movie.
Editing:
Here we have example of how eye line matches the seen object on next shot. Protagonist is
looking at what he is holding and then in the next shot we see the object – pill. In first shot
we see curiosity on his face, which shows the audience that what he is holding is interesting
and has significance. Then second shot fully reveals the pill.

20. These two shots above shows a use of CGI that reveals a series of letters, numbers and
equations around character and ceiling. This provides insight into the protagonist’s mind
allowing the audience to relate more to what he is experiencing.
Mise-en-Scene:

21. There is a lot of mise-en-scene aspects used in that scene. For example lighting within the
room connotes the negative direction in which his life is currently heading. Setting in low
class bar creates similar impression and creates contrasts for some luxurious and rich
locations he is put into later in movie. Glass of whiskey which he is drinking creates
impression that he have careless nature and have negative attitude towards life. His clothing
looks dirty and again creates contrast for luxurious clothes he wears later.
Knife being held here by antagonist, creates sense of threat and danger. As this is seen from
the perspective of the protagonist it allows the audience to feel more engaged in the scene.
Antagonist appearance and costume adds to his state of authority, which emphasizes the
state of helplessness in which protagonist is in.

22. Narrative Structure
Narrative structure of the movie present classical ‘zero to hero’ symbolism. Normal guy no
matter what stage in his life (usually broke and unhappy) is able to become something
beyond his wildest dreams. In this version the character is able to take control of his life by
swallowing a pill, through this pill he is able to not only to write a best selling book or
control the stock market. He is also able to climb his way up the ladder towards politic
positions such as senator of New York or even the President of the United States.
Presence of narrative theories in a movie
Tzvetan Todorov, a Bulgarian literary theorist theorizes that most narratives start of in a
state of equilibrium where life is ‘normal’ and the protagonist is happy. This normality is
then put into a state of disequilibrium where a disruption of an outside force interferes with
the protagonist life. Then he fights back to get back state of normality. This theory is only
loosely implemented in Limitless movie. In the beginning of the film there should be a
phase of equilibrium but protagonist is not in the state of equilibrium because he is not
happy. Hero is presented as an unfulfilled writer rejected by his girlfriend. Now we as an
audience do not know if this is a normal state for him, since we do not know how long he
has been trying to write his book. Theory is reversed here, because part of theory named
disequilibrium characterised by outside force changing life of a hero actually makes his life
more successful. He receives a brain unlocking pill that actually puts his life into a better
situation than he was previously. Then another outside force, which we can say is another
disequilibrium, makes dangers to his supply of NZT. New equilibrium happens when he
regains his supply of NZT which has been in danger, because of his enemies.
Vladimir Propp theory proposes that it is possible to classify the characters and their actions
into clearly defined. In Limitless we can find some of the 8 classic characters (The hero, the
villain, the donor, the dispatcher, the false hero, the helper, the princess and her father.
‘The Hero’ – Eddie Morra who seeks to become successful just like the stereotype.
‘The Villain’- Russian Loan Shark who is the biggest danger for the hero.
‘Donor’ – Vernon Gant, ex brother in-law who introduces Eddie to NZT.
‘Dispatcher/False Hero’ - Carl Van Loon, He first starts to be portrayed as a dispatcher who
sends Eddie out on his quest to merge his company with another and then towards the end
of the film where Eddie is now running for United State Senate he is then shown to actually
be a false hero.
‘Princess’ – Lindy, Eddie’s girlfriend.